Vancouver has been slowly rising in the annual ranking by Erobella as Toronto and Montréal continue to fall…
Sorry Montréal and Toronto. According to data from German escort consultancy group Erobella, you’re not as sexually liberal as many may think. Vancouver is Canada’s most sexually liberal city and the fourth in the world according to a new report released this week.
Erobella’s ‘World’s Most Sexually Liberal Cities’ report highlights places where people can truly be themselves. It features 41 cities, examining them on aspects of sexual freedom. This includes legality of gender-affirming care, number of gay bars, recurring LGBTQIA+ events, access to contraception, protection for sex workers and more. Points are distributed in five categories and are added up for a score out of 100.
“Whether you’re LGBTQIA+, sex-positive, kinky, or simply looking for a place where personal expression is possible without fear, this index lists cities where sexual and gender diversity is not just tolerated, but celebrated,” Erobella said.
So how did Vancouver get ahead of Toronto and Montréal? What other cities are the most sexually liberal? Let’s dive into the data.
Amsterdam reaches the top…for the first time
Believe it or not, the city known for its Red Light District and relaxed drug policies has never been at the top of the annual ranking. The Dutch capital has slowly climbed up the top 10 since 2021. It received a score of 69.9 – yes 69 – to claim first place.
“Amsterdam has been considered a centre of freedom for decades. The city’s legendary Red Light District attracts millions of visitors every year and is an example of Amsterdam’s sexual permissiveness – and it has it all,” Erobella stated.
Toronto and Montréal continue to slip
Vancouver has made significant gains since the first report in 2021, where it placed last out of 25 cities. The ranking is credited to the city being internationally recognized for its liberal and modern society. It also mentions the many strip clubs it has and how sexual freedom is very important to locals.
While Vancouver keeps improving, Canada’s two other major cities have been falling. Montréal received a “good” ranking with a score of 50.7, putting it in 15th place. This is the second time it has dropped since peaking at ninth place in 2023.
Toronto was not far behind in 17th place. Canada’s most populous city has never made the top 10, peaking 12th in 2023. It seems the distribution of sex shops and strip clubs across the city was one negative factor, with Erobella noting a majority of these businesses are concentrated downtown.
Germany dominates the top 10
Even though Erobella is based in Germany, we don’t think any favouritism was at play.
Many may assume Berlin would be the most sexually liberal city in Germany, but it’s actually Cologne. Placing third, Germany’s fourth most populous city has held a top three position since the inaugural ranking. It even topped the list in 2023. The report notes that the city of one million has more gay bars and LGBTQIA+ events than any other city in relation to its population size.
Berlin finished in sixth with the report highlighting its BDSM and fetish scene. “Nobody has to hide in Berlin if they want to live out their sexuality openly,” Erobella said. Hamburg is the final German city in the top 10. It placed eighth.
Is Donald Trump impacting America’s ranking?
While Donald Trump’s presidency isn’t directly mentioned, the rollback of LGBTQIA+ protections and women’s rights likely impacted how American cities ranked.
In 2021, the United States had four cities in the top 10. Now, the lone city is San Francisco who was dethroned as the World’s Most Sexually Liberal City coming in second. The report praises the city’s liberal attitude to life and how the LGBTQIA+ scene is fully integrated into society.
Eight other American cities made the list including San Diego (#19), Chicago (#21), Los Angeles (#22), New York City (#25), Atlanta (#28), Miami (#30) and Dallas (#39). Houston ranked second last, with the report noting that while it has gay bars and sex shops, its “conservative legislation does not allow for a better ranking.”
You can explore all the most sexually liberal cities here.
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